Opstanding van Christus 1600 - 1652

François Stuerhelt created this engraving, “Opstanding van Christus,” with a masterful interplay of light and shadow. The composition is dominated by a central figure that rises above a scene of disarray. This bold contrast immediately captures your attention. The artist's use of hatching and cross-hatching builds volume and texture, lending a tactile quality to the figures and objects. The fallen soldiers, rendered in intricate detail, create a dynamic contrast with the smooth, luminous form of Christ. The dramatic use of light, emanating from Christ, not only illuminates the scene but also symbolizes divine intervention and spiritual awakening. The engraving's visual structure is rooted in semiotics. It challenges fixed meanings by juxtaposing images of violence with divine serenity. Stuerhelt's work invites us to consider how symbolic representation can destabilize established notions of power and perception. By exploring these formal qualities and their deeper implications, we can recognize how art engages with enduring philosophical questions.